Seruyan villager arrested in connection with orangutan killing

News Desk

The Jakarta Post

Jakarta /
Sat, August 18, 2018 / 03:15 pm

This handout from International Animal Rescue shows Utu the orangutan after being rescued from villagers who had kept him as a house pet in Ketapang, West Kalimantan province. (AFP/International Animal Rescue/Heribertus)

The Central Kalimantan Police have arrested a villager, identified as BY, for killing an orangutan named Baen in Seruyan regency, Central Kalimantan, last month.

Central Kalimantan Police head Insp. Gen. Anang Revandoko said BY was currently being detained at a local police station after his arrest on Thursday.

Baen’s body was found in the plantation area of local palm oil company PT Wana Sawit Subur Lestari by a company employee on Monday, July 1. The body reportedly had incisions and bullets in its body. Baen was reportedly familiar with the plantation because it was rescued in 2014 and had been taken care of by the company.

The police have collected evidence from several witnesses, a firearm, a sword, a piece of wood and a boat. Forensic analysis of the orangutan’s hair shows that it matches what was found on BY’s sword and boat.

According to the police investigation, BY, who often collected wood at the location, felt annoyed by the presence of the orangutan, which he considered was getting in the way of his work.

“The suspect refused to work with the palm oil company, which had offered him a job. He preferred to collect wood around the farm,” Anang said.

The police have pressed multiple charges against BY, including possession of a firearm and killing an orangutan, which carry 15 years' imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rp 2.5 billion (US$173,010). (sau/wit)